CELEBRATING WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK IN THE NORTH WEST, FAR NORTH AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS OF  Cameroon

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WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2025

Breastfeeding is universally recognized as one of the most effective ways to ensure child survival, optimal growth, and healthy development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life provides all the nutrients, fluids, and energy a baby needs. 

It also protects against common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which are major causes of child mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Beyond six months, continued breastfeeding combined with safe and appropriate complementary foods remains essential for healthy growth and development until at least two years of age.
Globally, World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), celebrated from 1st to 7th August each year, is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF. It serves as a global platform to raise awareness on breastfeeding’s role in improving child and maternal health, reducing malnutrition. this year’s global theme, “Enabling Breastfeeding – Making a Difference for Working Parents”, emphasizes the urgent need for support systems that empower mothers to breastfeed effectively, regardless of employment status.
Problem Statement: While the benefits of breastfeeding are widely acknowledged, many mothers in Cameroon—particularly those in rural and crisis-affected areas—face significant barriers to initiating and sustaining optimal breastfeeding practices. These barriers are most severe in the Far North Region, where socio-economic and environmental challenges intersect to create a high-risk environment for infant health. Nutritional Challenges: the Far North is one of Cameroon’s most food-insecure zones due to recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall, and poor agricultural yields. Many mothers themselves are malnourished, affecting breast milk production and quality.
Why This Matters? These interventions directly address the root causes of poor breastfeeding practices in Cameroon’s most vulnerable regions. They provide knowledge, skills, and support systems to mothers, helping them overcome socio-cultural and economic barriers to breastfeeding. With sustained funding and technical support, these initiatives can be scaled up to reach more mothers in crisis-affected and hard-to-reach communities ultimately reducing infant mortality, improving nutrition, and building healthier futures. The primary objective of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week activities was to sensitize nursing mothers on the critical importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life. Exclusive breastfeeding is proven to provide the ideal nutrition infants need for healthy growth and development while boosting their immunity against life-threatening illnesses. Beyond the first six months, mothers were also encouraged to continue breastfeeding up to two years or beyond, as recommended by global health authorities, while introducing complementary feeding. A second goal was to equip mothers with practical skills by demonstrating a range of breastfeeding techniques and positions. These included the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position each selected to offer comfort, prevent nipple pain, and ensure proper latching for effective milk transfer. Such demonstrations were especially beneficial to first-time mothers and those struggling with breastfeeding challenges.
Locations Visited: Our activities were conducted in strategically selected locations across three regions of Cameroon, targeting both urban and rural communities to ensure a broad reach. In the Northwest Region, sessions were held in Mankon and Banso, are areas also facing significant maternal health challenges due to ongoing crises. In the Southwest Region, activities took place at the Regina Pacis Hospital  Mutengene and CMA Muea. In the Far North Region, the program reached mothers in Sirak Gorai, Mouhour, Mikili and other locations facing  barriers to breastfeeding promotion.
We also prioritized the distribution of illustrated educational leaflets to all participants. These guides were carefully designed with pictorial instructions for ease of understanding, especially for mothers with limited literacy. The goal was to provide a take-home reference that could reinforce learning after the sessions.

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